Fig. 6

Unstained hemimandibular specimens compared to specimens stained with D&C Red 33. Anterior part of the right hemimandible of bovine fetuses. Tooth eruption through the gingival mucosa is difficult to assess in some fetuses, especially in cases with a pale gingiva. Staining with D&C Red 33 overnight enables accurate identification of the gingival margin, which is stained an intense shade of pink (b, d). Specimens a–b originate from a 270-day-old Holstein fetus, while c–d originate from a 264-day-old fetus. Notice that the 264-day-old fetus has complete eruption of all incisor teeth and canine teeth, while this has not yet occurred in the other fetus despite it being 6 days older (a–b). The findings from the fetus shown in c–d emphasise that complete eruption of all incisor teeth and canine teeth may occur close to the 251-day gestational age limit after which transport of the dam is prohibited. Note that the eruption is advanced in this case